CONTEST DIRECTORS and PILOT GUIDELINES - 2010

Red type indicates changes implemented in 2010.

The intent of the following rules and regulations is to enhance the enjoyment of sailplane contesting for all participants by clarifying the general guidelines that will be used for all contests.

  1. The CD is a certified agent of RMSA and is charged with carrying out the rules and regulations in a fair and equitable manner. The CD is in charge of all operations and is the “final authority.”
  2. Each CD will establish a staff of personnel to adequately run the contest in a professional manner; CD, asst. CD, line officer, winch master, safety officer, scorer, etc. as necessary, and those positions will be filled well in advance of the contest date. The CD will arrange for all necessary contest equipment to be at the field for his contest.
  3. The CD will prepare an announcement of the monthly contest that will be published in the Thermals and should include all pertinent details.
  4. AMA/RMSA rules and regulations will be reviewed at the contest pilots’ meeting.
  5. The CD will give informational data to not only pilots, but also to the timers and the rest of his staff so all participants are aware of the areas of responsibility and to ensure any safety procedures are known and adhered to.
  6. Spring, summer, and fall starting times for contests should be adjusted to the season; as many rounds should be flown as possible! The CD will propose to use 6 rounds as a minimum for the contest.  Posted times as published in the newsletter, for registration, pilots meeting, 1st flight, etc. will be adhered to.  A contest completion criteria shall be announced at the pilots meeting specifying either a specific number of rounds, or a time after which another round will not be started.
  7. With the exception of HLG and F3B, the preferred AMA/RMSA contest format is “Man on Man”.  The CD may also choose “Designated Flight Order” or "Open Winch" format at his discretion. When “Designated Flight Order” is used, a random winch launch order will be initiated—the pilot will be expected to fly as called or opt to move to the end of the flight order and then must fly when called the second time. Man on man format will use a totally random draw, including Novice, Sportsman and Master. 
  8. In the event of an equipment failure or an allowable pop-off, the pilot will be given a full reflight, even if it occurs on an F3J with winches reflight.  The CD or line judge should examine the matrix and inform the pilots prior to launch of the proper handling of a allowable pop-off.  However, even if this is not done, the pilots should make no assumptions about the reflight status of the group and should continue to fly appropriately until notified (or not) of a group reflight.  There is no reflight allowed for assuming the group will be reflown and not flying appropriately if it is not.
  9. Reflights will be rescheduled to a following group if possible (to speed contests, the CD may, at his discretion, allow a novice class pilot to relaunch in the same flight group). The entire group will be relaunched in the event of 2 or more launch failures OR a single launch failure on the last group of a round OR if there are no following slots for a pilot to be rescheduled OR if the current group would be reduced to less than 3 pilots.
  10. ONLY the CD or his designated line judge may call a group down. 
  11. One-day club contests will not have throwout rounds
  12. The CD will not tolerate the evidence of poor sportsmanlike conduct and/or the interference of another’s flight. Any and all infractions of AMA/RMSA contest rules will be met with appropriate disciplinary action. AMA Contest Rules Book will be the guideline. All participants will be expected to cooperate fully with the CD.
  13. The CD will write an overview of the contest to be published in Thermals and see that it is given to the editor in time for the next publication.
  14. The CD shall establish and post the flight and shag order for each flight in the round.
  15. Master and Sportsmen will be allowed one pop-off per contest. Novices will be allowed one pop-off per round.  Pop-offs must be declared immediately (within 10 seconds), Equipment failures are not considered pop-offs and are not limited.  For Man on Man competitions once declared pop-offs will be handled as described in item 7.  For Designated Flight Order the pilot goes to the end of the flight order.